Confident Gulfstream says G650 is "our market"

Gulfstream remains focused internally as speculation churns on a potential competitor to the company's ultra long-range G650 business aircraft.

"We have about 200 [G650 aircraft] sold and that's our market. We are much more focused on us and bringing products to market...than anything else," says Larry Flynn, Gulfstream senior vice president marketing and sales.

Bombardier is widely believed to be quietly developing a replacement for its large cabin Global Express XRS and competitor for Gulfstream G650.

Gulfstream launched its flagship G650 in March 2008 and recently rolled the aircraft out in September.

"We think we have an airplane that has effectively developed a new market at the top end of the business aircraft market, it has been extraordinarily received and now we need to deliver," adds Flynn.

Programme sources tell FlightBlogger that the aircraft has been recently undergoing low-speed taxi tests at the company's Savannah, Georgia facility.

Flynn declined to comment on any specific tests, but said "If you're at the airport in Savannah, you may see it on the runway" adding that aircraft is on track on meet its first flight target by the close of the year.